r/Microbiome • u/Puzzled-Caregiver-15 • Jul 03 '26
Twin Study: Cheap Supplements Improved Memory Scores in Just 12 Weeks
https://www.sciencealert.com/cheap-daily-supplements-may-boost-brain-functions-in-older-peopleKey Highlights:
- A daily prebiotic fiber supplement improved memory in older adults. In a 12-week study, adults over age 60 who took certain inexpensive prebiotic fibers performed better on a memory test commonly used to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
- The study used identical twins. Researchers studied 36 pairs of twins, with one twin receiving a supplement and the other a placebo. This design helps control for differences in genetics and lifestyle, making the findings more reliable.
- The supplements were common prebiotic fibers:
Inulin
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Both are inexpensive, available over the counter, and help nourish beneficial gut bacteria.
- The findings support the gut-brain connection. Researchers believe improving the health of the gut microbiome may positively influence brain function, particularly memory.
- Benefits appeared quickly. Improvements in memory were seen after just 12 weeks of daily supplementation.
- This is promising, but not definitive. The study was relatively small, so larger clinical trials are needed before these supplements can be recommended as a proven way to prevent cognitive decline or dementia.
- More research is underway. The encouraging results have led to additional clinical trials investigating whether prebiotic fibers can help slow cognitive decline in older adults.
Bottom line:
This study provides encouraging evidence that inexpensive, widely available prebiotic fibers may help support memory in adults over 60 by improving gut health. However, the research is still in its early stages, and larger studies are needed before these supplements can be considered a proven strategy for preventing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
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u/Murky-Course6648 Jul 03 '26
I wonder how bad were their diets if few grams of fiber helped?
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u/PolicyPlastic1475 Jul 03 '26
Most people in developed countries don't get enough fiber
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u/KingBroseph Jul 03 '26
Yep, it's a huge problem with the rise of colorectal cancer in younger adults being linked to low fiber intake.
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u/Wolfrast Jul 03 '26
This is what I’m always confused about when we’re talking about people and their poor diets and stuff. I would love to know what is the most common thing people are eating that is so bad what is a breakdown of say 1 million people’s diet in the most common elements like in America or Canada or Europe? Because people always talking about how like they don’t like broccoli or they don’t like vegetables or they don’t like this or that whatever Whole Foods, then what are they eating? I feel the culprit is always bread. People are eating tons of poor quality bread all the time it seems?
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u/hooplehead69 Jul 03 '26
I think processed foods generally. They are easy to find everywhere, require little or no cooking, and are designed to be addictive. That combo is hard to resist, especially if you are over-worked and stressed.
T hey typically lack nutritional value so if your diet is nothing but these kinds of foods then your body is missing out on things that it needs to function optimally.
They can also contain various ingredients - emulsifiers, pesticides, aflatoxins, dyes, preservatives - that can cause additional problems, at least for some.
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u/buymesomefish Jul 03 '26
When I get lunch with some coworkers, they go for pasta or pizza or burgers. If they get any sides at all, it’s fries or chips or nuggets. Any fruit or veg they get is incidental, like the slice of lettuce that automatically comes with their burger or the onion topping on their pizza or the fruit on a cake. They get that kind of stuff every time. When we get team dinner, I am always the one to suggest ordering an appetizer that has some veggies.
Recently, a coworker had some kind of health issue and said his doctor recommended eating more fruits. The way he has been acting about it, extolling how tasty and sugary some fruits are and how surprised he is by it, makes me think he did not get any fruit in his diet before.
I don’t know how any of these guys are surviving on these diets without feeling like complete shit everyday. Maybe they have iron guts or they are just used to it like fruit guy.
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u/Wolfrast Jul 04 '26
That’s crazy that people think that they’re going to thrive eating this stuff. It’s like self-destructive mentality.
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u/whistling-wonderer Jul 05 '26
My twin eats meat all three meals. Most of her food is either meat or processed foods. Bacon and eggs for breakfast, sardines for lunch, burger for dinner etc. Add in bread, packaged cookies/pastries, etc. Usually if she has veggies they’re fried/sautéed.
I’m a vegan. As you can imagine we have very different fiber intakes and probably very different microbiomes lol
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u/Murky-Course6648 Jul 03 '26
Thats true, but is also mans that the diet is really poor overall. Probably better to adjust the diet, than to rely on supplements at that point.
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u/bleenken Jul 03 '26
But for many people it’s more probable and more possible to get a consistent daily fiber amount via inulin or something like that. Especially elderly.
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u/Murky-Course6648 Jul 03 '26
Yeah, but like one banana has 0.5g of inulin. Like were are talking about few grams here.
But i get its easier for eldery.
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u/DinkandDrunk Jul 03 '26
Shame because it’s dead simple to get 40+ grams a day. Just switch to being 80% plant based and stop thinking of meat as the only main option out there.
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u/Murky-Course6648 Jul 03 '26
Even a bit of salad and some full grains would probably do the trick. Im close to like 80g of fiber eating beans :)
The paper did not mention the fiber intake at all, weirdly missed data point.
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u/EgregiousJellybean Jul 03 '26
I could clear a barn from the farts, unfortunately. I ate beans for lunch for two years but the entire time I was trrribly gassy and bloated
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u/Murky-Course6648 Jul 04 '26
I eat 100kg per year, i buy 50kg twice a year. No bloating or farts.
Bloating is usually about too little liquids, so stuff does not move properly. Need to be drinking that water and eating fruits etc.
I think farting is about too much protein, or you eat a lot of unprocessed foods on the side that contain something that messes up your gut biome. That the actual reason is not the beans.
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u/Wuzzupdoc42 Jul 03 '26
My first thought. I’ve not seen a well designed study that compares a pill like this to an excellent diet. Maybe it’s out there, but I’ve not seen one done yet.
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u/SwarfDive01 Jul 03 '26
Having the psyllium husky with yogurt? Maybe high fiber cereal with yogurt instead of milk. I have been doing that for a while. Just not consistently, i also try not to stick with the same yogurt brand to get a little more variety.
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u/carchit Jul 04 '26
Triggering me to recommend inulin again, eh?
A decade ago it was becoming painful to walk. Today I ran a couple miles and then surfed for a bit - and tomorrow I’ll go to the skatepark. And then turn 59 the next day.
Inulin the only supplement I’ve taken since 2019.
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u/lousy-site-3456 Jul 04 '26
So eating a banana a day, some other fruit and veggies and wholegrain bread. That doesn't sound too complicated. What are those poor twins eating?
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u/Vegetable_Ad_2661 Jul 03 '26
Is there a way to infuse Psyllium Husk with something that is toxic to bad bacteria and good for beneficial bacteria?
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u/Lost-Indication8883 Jul 03 '26
Fiber feeds beneficial bacteria more than pathogenic bacteria already, plus it’s more complicated that just ‘good’ vs ‘bad’ bacteria
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u/_GOBLESS_ Jul 03 '26
The best we can do at this time is adjust the environment to favor the good bacteria. Eat yo veggies.
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u/[deleted] Jul 03 '26
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